Two U.S. congresswomen are urging the Transportation Security Authority to comply with liquid exemption for passengers traveling with breastmilk and formula.
Reps. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Wash., and Lucille Roybal-Allard, D-Calif., co-chairs of the Congressional Maternity Care Caucus, sent a letter to the TSA calling for its compliance on Wednesday.
While breastmilk and formula are exempt from TSA’s liquid limitations, according to a press release, parents often complain about “inconsistent, harassment-like scrutiny” from TSA. Parents are often required to throw away breastmilk, formula and cooling packs to go through security.
According to TSA rules, travelers are allowed to bring more than 3.4 ounces of breastmilk and formula as well as ice, freezer packs or frozen gel packs in carry-on luggage on an airplane.
Flyers are also not required to fit the liquids in a quart-sized bag.
“For the well-being of these infants and children passengers, it is important that there is full compliance with the existing liquids exemption,” the congresswomen’s letter states. “Particularly on long flights, caretakers and parents depend on security agents to properly allow these vital forms of nutrition through security checkpoints and on board aircrafts.”
If the issue isn’t fixed, the letter states the congresswomen will consider legislation to fix the problems.
